Liquid crystal display with frame having liquid crystal panel fixing member

ABSTRACT

An exemplary liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel, and a one-piece frame accommodating the liquid crystal panel. The frame includes a plurality of side walls arranged end to end, a supporting board extending inward from inner surfaces of the side walls, and at least two liquid crystal panel fixing members. The supporting board abuts the liquid crystal panel. The at least two liquid crystal panel fixing members press at least one respective lateral side of the liquid crystal panel such that the liquid crystal panel is pressed slightly toward the supporting board.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD) thatincludes a frame with at least two liquid crystal panel fixing members.

BACKGROUND

Liquid crystal displays are commonly used as display devices for compactelectronic apparatuses, because they not only provide good qualityimages but are also very thin.

Referring to FIG. 8, a typical liquid crystal display includes a topbezel 80, a liquid crystal panel 81, a frame-shaped piece ofdouble-sided adhesive tape 82, a plastic frame 83, a backlight module84, and a bottom tray 85, arranged in that order from top to bottom. Theplastic frame 83 includes four side walls 832 connected end to end, andan annular supporting board 834 inwardly extending from inner surfaces(not labeled) of the side walls 832.

When the liquid crystal display 8 is assembled, the adhesive tape 82 isadhered to top edge surfaces (not labeled) of the supporting board 834and bottom peripheral regions (not labeled) of the liquid crystal panel81. Thereby, the liquid crystal panel 81 is fixed to the plastic frame83.

However, the expensive adhesive tape 82 generally adds to the cost ofthe liquid crystal display 8. Further, the chemical stability of theadhesive tape 82 is liable to be harmed under different conditions,particularly high temperatures; and relative movements may occur betweenthe liquid crystal panel 81 and the plastic frame 83. When this happens,some adhesive material of the adhesive tape 82 may contaminatenon-peripheral regions of liquid crystal panel 81, and the opticalperformance of the liquid crystal panel 81 may be seriously impaired.Moreover, the need of carefully adhering the adhesive tape 82 to theliquid crystal panel 81 further contributes to the cost of manufacturingthe liquid crystal display 8.

What is needed, therefore, is a liquid crystal display that can overcomethe above-described deficiencies.

SUMMARY

In one preferred embodiment, a liquid crystal display includes a liquidcrystal panel, and a one-piece frame accommodating the liquid crystalpanel. The frame includes a plurality of side walls arranged end to end,a supporting board extending inward from inner surfaces of the sidewalls, and at least two liquid crystal panel fixing members. Thesupporting board abuts the liquid crystal panel. The at least two liquidcrystal panel fixing members press at least one respective lateral sideof the liquid crystal panel such that the liquid crystal panel ispressed slightly toward the supporting board.

Other aspects, novel features and advantages will become more apparentfrom the following detailed description when taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, theemphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principlesof at least one embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings,like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout variousviews, and all the views are schematic.

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention, the liquidcrystal display including a frame.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the frame of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a circled portion III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a frame of a liquid crystal displayaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a circled portion VI of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6, but showing a configuration of analternative embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exploded, isometric view of a conventional liquid crystaldisplay.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe preferred andexemplary embodiments of the present invention in detail.

Referring to FIG. 1, a liquid crystal display 1 according to a firstembodiment of the present invention is shown. The liquid crystal display1 includes a top bezel 10, a liquid crystal panel 11, a frame 12, abacklight module 13, and a bottom tray 14, arranged in that order fromtop to bottom.

The top bezel 10 includes a frame-shaped top plate 102, and a pair offirst side plates 104 downwardly extending from two opposite short sidesof the top plate 102. Each of the first side plates 104 has two firstnotches 106 defined therein. The top bezel 10 is preferably made fromiron, steel, aluminum, magnesium, or a material containing any suitablealloy thereof.

Referring also to FIG. 2, the frame 12 includes a four-sidedframe-shaped supporting board 120, a first side wall 121, a second sidewall 122, a third side wall 123, and a fourth side wall 124. The first,second, third, and fourth side walls 121, 122, 123, 124 areconsecutively arranged end to end in that order. The supporting board120 inwardly extends from inner surfaces (not labeled) of the first,second, third, and fourth side walls 121, 122, 123, 124; thereby, theframe 12 defines a generally rectangular space (not labeled) foraccommodating the liquid crystal panel 11 and the backlight module 13.The frame 12 is preferably made from polycarbonate, another kind ofplastic, or another suitable material.

The first and third side walls 121, 123 each include two first ears 125outwardly extending from outer surfaces (not labeled) thereof. The firstears 125 of the first and third side walls 121, 123 respectivelycorrespond to the first notches 106 of the first side plates 104 of thetop bezel 10. The second and fourth side walls 122, 124 each includethree second ears 126 outwardly extending from outer surfaces (notlabeled) thereof.

The first side wall 121 further includes a first elastic member 127located adjacent to an edge portion (not labeled) thereof. The secondside wall 122 includes a pair of second elastic members 128 respectivelylocated at two opposite edge portions (not labeled) thereof. The firstand second elastic members 127, 128 are arranged at points of animaginary triangle. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and secondelastic members 127, 128 are inseparably formed with the frame 12, andare elastically deformable. For example, the frame 12 and the first andsecond elastic members 127, 128 can be formed as a single body in amolding process.

Referring also to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, each of the first, second, third,and fourth side walls 121, 122, 123, 124 defines a first groove 1222 ata top portion thereof. The supporting board 120 defines a second groove1202 at a top portion thereof. A third groove 1224 is defined at a jointbetween the first, second, third, and fourth side walls 121, 122, 123,124 and the supporting board 120. The first, third, and second grooves1222, 1224, 1202 are defined in that order from top to bottom, andcommunicate with the rectangular space.

Each of the first and second elastic members 127, 128 defines a fourthgroove 1284, a fifth groove 1286, and a sixth groove 1288 in that orderfrom top to bottom. The fourth, fifth, and sixth grooves 1284, 1286,1288 communicate with the rectangular space. The fourth groove 1284corresponds to the first groove 1224, the fifth groove 1286 correspondsto the third groove 1224, and the sixth groove 1288 corresponds to thesecond groove 1202. The first and second elastic members 127, 128 areinclined toward the rectangular space in a free state. Horizontalsurfaces (not labeled) defining the fourth, fifth, and sixth grooves1284, 1286, 1288 of the first and second elastic members 127, 128 arebelow respective horizontal surfaces (not labeled) defining the first,third, and second grooves 1222, 1224, 1202. Each of the first and secondelastic members 127, 128 includes an outer surface 1282 inwardlyinclined toward the rectangular space.

The backlight module 13 includes a first brightness enhancement film(BEF) 130, a second BEF 131, a light guide plate (LGP) 132, a reflectivefilm 133, and a light source 134. The first BEF 130, the second BEF 131,the light guide plate 132, and the reflective film 134 are arranged inthat order from top to bottom. The light source 134 is located adjacentto the light guide plate 132.

The light guide plate 132 is substantially rectangular. The light guideplate 132 includes a light incident surface 135, a top light emittingsurface 136 perpendicular to the light incident surface 135, and abottom surface 137. The light source 134 is adjacent to the lightincident surface 135 of the light guide plate 132 for providing lightbeams to the light guide plate 132. The second BEF 131 is adjacent tothe light emitting surface 136 of the light guide plate 132. Thereflective film 133 is adjacent to the bottom surface 137 of the lightguide plate 132. The light source 134 includes a linear illuminator (notshown). In the illustrated embodiment, the light source 134 includes acold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL). The light guide plate 132 can forexample be made from polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA), and can be manufactured by an injection molding method.

The bottom tray 14 includes a bottom plate 142, and a pair of secondside plates 144 upwardly extending from two opposite long sides of thebottom plate 142. Each of the second side plates 144 has three secondnotches 146 defined therein. The second notches 146 respectivelycorrespond to the second ears 126 of the frame 12. The bottom tray 14can for example be made from iron, aluminum, magnesium, any suitablematerial that includes an alloy of these, or another suitable material.

The liquid crystal panel 11 can be secured to the frame 12 by thefollowing steps. First, one corner (not labeled) corresponding to thefirst elastic member 127 of the liquid crystal panel 11 ispre-localized. The first elastic member 127 is outwardly pressed in adirection away from the rectangular space such that the horizontal andvertical surfaces (not labeled) defining the fifth groove 1286 of thefirst elastic member 127 are substantially coplanar with the horizontaland vertical surfaces (not labeled) defining the third groove 1224,respectively. The corner of the liquid crystal panel 11 corresponding tothe first elastic member 127 is positioned at the supporting board 120.When the first elastic member 127 is released, the corner of the liquidcrystal panel 11 is pressed toward the third side wall 123 and slightlytoward the supporting board 120 by the first elastic member 127. Second,the liquid crystal panel 11 is elastically secured at the supportingboard 120. Similar to the above-described steps, the second elasticmembers 128 are outwardly pressed until bottom peripheral regions (notlabeled) of the liquid crystal panel 11 fully abut the supporting board120. When the second elastic members 128 are released, the other twocorners (not labeled) of the liquid crystal panel 11 are respectivelypressed toward the fourth side wall 124 and slightly toward thesupporting board 120 by the second elastic members 128. The outersurface 1282 of the first elastic member 127 is substantially coplanarwith the outer surface (not labeled) of the first side wall 121, and theouter surfaces 1282 of the second elastic members 128 are substantiallycoplanar with the outer surface (not labeled) the second side wall 122.Thus, the liquid crystal panel 11 is conveniently secured to the frame12. Detachment of the liquid crystal panel 11 is essentially the reverseof the above-described installation procedure.

The liquid crystal panel 11 can be conveniently secured to the frame 12or be detached from the frame 12 without any adhesive tape and withoutthe need for carefully adhering the adhesive tape to the liquid crystalpanel 11. Thus, the liquid crystal display 1 can be efficientlymanufactured with a reduced cost. Further, the stability of the firstand second elastic members 127, 128 is high, so that the assemblyresists relative movement between the liquid crystal panel 11 and theframe 12. Therefore, the optical performance of the liquid crystal panel11 can be reliably maintained.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a liquid crystal display 2 according toa second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the liquidcrystal display 1. However, the liquid crystal display 2 includes aframe 22. The frame 22 includes a first side wall 221, a second sidewall 222, a third side wall, 223, and a fourth side wall 224consecutively arranged end to end. The frame 22 further includes a pairof elastic members 227 respectively located at a joint between the firstand second side walls 221, 222, and at a joint between the second andthird side walls 222, 223. Each of the elastic members 227 isinseparably integrated with a base 229, which is inseparably formed withthe frame 22. The base 229 has a substantially cubic (rectangular)structure. In an alternative embodiment, the base 229 has asubstantially cylindrical structure, as is shown in FIG. 7. In otherrespects, the liquid crystal display 2 has features and advantagessimilar to those described above in relation to the liquid crystaldisplay 1.

Further or alternative embodiments may include the following. In a firstexample, the first and second elastic members 127, 128 are located atany two or three of the first, second, third, and fourth side walls 121,122, 123, 124. In a second example, the number of first elastic members127 is two or more as necessary, and the number of second elasticmembers 128 is three or more as necessary. In a third example, theelastic members 227 are diagonally arranged at the first, second, third,and fourth side walls 221, 222, 223, 224.

It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will beunderstood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent thatvarious changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages,the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplaryembodiments of the invention.

1. A liquid crystal display comprising: a liquid crystal panel; and aone-piece frame accommodating the liquid crystal panel, the framecomprising: a plurality of side walls arranged end to end; a supportingboard extending inward from inner surfaces of the side walls, thesupporting board abutting the liquid crystal panel; and at least twoliquid crystal panel fixing members pressing at least one respectivelateral side of the liquid crystal panel such that the liquid crystalpanel is pressed slightly toward the supporting board.
 2. The liquidcrystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting board isfour-sided frame-shaped, thereby the side walls and the supporting boardcooperatively defining a space for accommodating the liquid crystalpanel.
 3. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein theat least two liquid crystal panel fixing members press peripheralregions of the liquid crystal panel.
 4. The liquid crystal display asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two liquid crystal panel fixingmembers are arranged at points of an imaginary triangle.
 5. The liquidcrystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two liquidcrystal panel fixing members are respectively arranged at joints betweenthe side walls.
 6. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1,wherein the at least two liquid crystal panel fixing members areelastically deformable.
 7. The liquid crystal display as claimed inclaim 1, wherein each of the side walls and the supporting boardcooperatively defines a first groove at a joint therebetween.
 8. Theliquid crystal display as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the atleast two liquid crystal panel fixing members defines a second groovecorresponding to the first groove.
 9. The liquid crystal display asclaimed in claim 8, wherein horizontal surfaces defining the secondgrooves of the at least two liquid crystal panel fixing members arebelow a horizontal surface defining the first groove of the supportingboard.
 10. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein theat least two liquid crystal panel fixing members further press theliquid crystal panel toward the side walls.
 11. The liquid crystaldisplay as claimed in claim 1, wherein outer surfaces of the at leasttwo liquid crystal panel fixing members are substantially coplanar withrespective outer surfaces of the side walls when the liquid crystalpanel is assembled to the frame.
 12. The liquid crystal display asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two liquid crystal panel fixingmembers are inseparably formed with the frame.
 13. The liquid crystaldisplay as claimed in claim 12, wherein each of the at least two liquidcrystal panel fixing members is inseparably formed with a base which isinseparably integrated with the frame.
 14. The liquid crystal display asclaimed in claim 13, wherein the base comprises a substantially cubicstructure.
 15. The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 13,wherein the base comprises a substantially cylindrical structure. 16.The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame ismade from plastic.
 17. A liquid crystal display comprising: a liquidcrystal panel; and a frame comprising: a plurality of side wallsdefining a space accommodating the liquid crystal panel; a supportingboard abutting a periphery of a main face of the liquid crystal panel;and at least two liquid crystal panel fixing members elastically holdingthe liquid crystal panel in position against the supporting board. 18.The liquid crystal display as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of theside walls and the supporting board cooperatively defines a first grooveat a joint therebetween.
 19. The liquid crystal display as claimed inclaim 17, wherein the at least two liquid crystal panel fixing membersfurther press the liquid crystal panel toward the side walls.
 20. Theliquid crystal display as claimed in claim 17, wherein the at least twoliquid crystal panel fixing members are inseparably formed with theframe.